A HUNDRED years ago, a small penny bazaar opened in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester.

Hard to believe it is now a thriving department store serving an average of 70,000 customers a week and employing 156 people.

Marks & Spencer marked its centenary in Colchester yesterday with an all-day celebration.

Linda Clench, 61, of Cavendish Avenue, Colchester, has the bragging rights of being the longest-serving employee in the Colchester store’s history – 46 years and still counting.

She recalled how it was all very different when she started.

She said: “It was a lot stricter then. We had to wear long, pale blue overalls with a navy belt. In the mornings we had to line up and be inspected. If we didn’t look right, we had to go back upstairs and come back perfect.”

Mrs Clench said, back then, fruit would be displayed on each of the cashier’s counters and customers would ask for how much they wanted, like a traditional greengrocers.

The store was also a lot smaller and clothing had to be folded in just the right way, a habit she admitted had stayed with her to this day.

She said: “It has got more relaxed since then. When I first came here all staff had to be called by their full names.”

Asked what had kept her there for so long, she replied: “I do love working here and I wouldn’t want to be at home. We have some lovely regular customers, too.

“They always come and say hello. When I had done my 40 years here, I had customers bringing me flowers.”

Jewish immigrant Michael Marks opened the first stall in Leeds, in 1884, selling goods for a penny.

Over the next ten years, he opened more stalls and invited Tom Spencer to become a partner. The business grew from there.

In Colchester, it opened in 1911 at 3 St Botolph’s Street.

It sold a range of items, including sewing equipment, biscuits, toys and sheet music.

The store retained the policy used by Mr Marks of selling almost everything for a penny, apart from a few luxury items.

Goods were displayed on tables and the “admission free” sign outside encouraged people to browse – a marked contrast to most shops at the time, where customers had to ask the shopkeeper for goods stored behind the counter.

But by 1931, larger premises were needed in the town, so the store relocated to High Street.

Over the next few decades, that premises underwent several extensions, including a revamp of the first-floor in the Fifties.

Although the store today feels a world away from how it started, it continues to thrive in the town.

Its success was celebrated yesterday as customers were treated to food and wine tastings, while staff embraced the mood by dressing in vintage uniform.

Visitors to the store could also enjoy a nostalgia trip at the Marks in Time exhibition.

The display featured more than 100 years of the store’s history, detailing how products were introduced to the brand through the ages.

Garry Easter, store manager, said he was delighted to celebrate the occasion.

“It is absolutely fantastic,” he said. “I think with all the heritage the business has, and our long association with Colchester, it is just great. It is also great to be able to do something for our customers.”

So what is the secret of the store’s success?

“We offer something for everybody, for all the different age groups and I think we always try to offer the best service,” said Mr Easter.

About 30 of the staff have worked at the store for more than ten years and three for more than 40.

Colchester mayor Helen Chuah, who was at the store to join in yesterday’s celebrations, said: “M&S is well known all over the world.”

“It is an institution and long may it continue.”